State Backs Off Strict Code

World News to Note

October 12, 2000

KADUNA, Nigeria -- Nigeria's northern state of Kaduna, torn by sectarian riots this year, said Wednesday that* it had shelved plans to adopt the strict Islamic sharia penal code. Kaduna State Governor Mohammed Ahmed Makarfi cited the cosmopolitan nature of the state as a reason for the move. His announcement should defuse the anxiety of non-Muslims, but could anger sharia's ardent backers.